Can You Reuse Fryer Grease?

It is not only possible to reuse fryer oil, but economically advantageous.

Cooking food in a deep fat fryer requires large amounts of oil, which becomes expensive with repeated use. Fortunately, fryer oil can be reused, at least for a few months.

Storage

After frying is finished, any remaining oil can be refrigerated for future use. Allow the oil to cool in the pan, then strain it through a paper towel to remove residual food particles, and place the remainder in a clean, sealed jar.

Lifespan

Used frying oil can be refrigerated without spoiling for an average six to eight months. Excessively heating an oil will cause it to decompose faster, so oil intended for reuse should be preheated only as much as necessary for the recipe at hand.

Precautions

If the oil develops a rancid stench, it has likely spoiled and should be discarded. Also, old frying oil is best used on the type of food that it was previously used to fry or it might give the new dish an unwanted flavor.

References

• OChef: Shelf Life of Oil for Frying
• Culinary Yours: Cooking Oil
• OC Register: Save Money, Reuse Fryer Oil